Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Work-Life Border Control Model: A Re-think of Border Theory

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Work-Life Interface

  • 764 Accesses

Abstract

Previous studies on border theories exclusively focus on activities in the work and home/family domains without a clear cut explanation of the factors that determine employees’ movements across the border. The chapter draws on a critical review of the literature and contemporary research to present a work-life border control model to further enhance our understanding of employees’ movement across the border. The model describes employees as border crossers whose journey from the work domain to non-work domain is enhanced or hindered by organisational culture, management support, supervisor support, co-worker’s support, employees’ willingness to cross the border, and organisational time expectations. The model also recognises employee’s other non-work (aside from home/family) activities. This model provides a comprehensive and coherent theoretical framework within which employees’ movements from work to non-work domains (border flexibility and permeability) can be studied.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adisa, T. A. (2015). The inter-relationship between work life balance and Organisational Culture: An empirical study of Nigerian health sector. A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences, Brunel University London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adisa, T. A., Mordi, C., & Osabutey, E. (2017). Exploring the implications of the influence of organisational culture on work-life balance practices: Evidence from Nigerian medical doctors. Personnel Review, 46(3), 454–473.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, T. D. (2001). Family supportive work environments: The role of organizational perceptions. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 58(3), 414–435.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashforth, B. E. (2001). Role transitions in organisational life: An identity-based perspective. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashforth, B. E., Kreiner, G. E., & Fugate, M. (2000). All in a day’s work: Boundaries and micro role transitions. Academy of Management Review, 25(3), 472–491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayman, R., & Antani, A. (2008). Social support and work family conflict. In K. Korabik, D. S. Lero, & D. L. Whitehead (Eds.), Handbook of work-family integration (pp. 287–304). Academic Press: London.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bailyn, L. (1997). The impact of corporate culture on work-family integration. In S. Parasuraman & H. Greenhaus (Eds.), Integrating work and family: Challenges and choices for a changing world (pp. 209–219). Westport, CT: Quorum Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bear, J. B. (2019). The caregiving ambition framework. Academy of Management Review, 44(1), 99–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beauregard, T. A., & Henry, L. C. (2009). Making the link between work-life balance practices and organisational performance. Human Resource Management Review, 19, 9–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berg, P., & Piszczek, M. M. (2012, June). The role of institutions in work-family boundary management. A Paper Presented to the Work-Family Researchers Network Conference, New York, NY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bianchi, S. M., & Milkie, M. A. (2010). Work and family research in the first decade of the 21st century. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 72(3), 705–725.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourdeau, S., Ollier-Malaterre, A., & Houlfort, N. (2019). Not all work-life policies are created equal: Career consequences of using enabling versus enclosing work-life policies. Academy of Management Review, 44(1), 172–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyar, G. S., Maertz, A. P., & Keough, S. (2003). Work-family conflict: A model of linkage between work and family domain variables and turn-over intention. Journal of Managerial Issue, 40(2), 175–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burke, R. J. (2006). Research companion to working time and work addiction. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, C. K. Y. (2008). Border crossing: Work-life balance issues with Chinese entrepreneurs in New Zealand. A thesis submitted to Auckland University of Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Business (MBus).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chao, L. (2005, November 29). For Gen Xers, its work to live: allowing employees to strike balance between job and life can lead to better retention rates. Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition, p. B6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) (2007). Extending the right to flexible working could boost business and reduce chances of a divided workforce. Available at www.cipd.co.uk/publicsites/cScape.CIPD.PressOffice/Templates/PressRelease.

  • Clark, S. C. (2000). Work/family border theory: A new theory of work/family balance. Human Relations, 53(6), 747–770.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, S. C. (2001). Work cultures and work/family balance. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 58(3), 348–365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, S. C., & Farmer, P. M. K. (1998, October). Living in two different worlds: Measuring cultural and value differences between work and home, and their effects on border crossing. Paper presented at the Institute of Behavioural and Applied Management Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, W. S., Thompson, M. J., & Ashforth, B. E. (2019). Work-life events theory: Making sense of shock events in dual earner couples. Academy of Management Review, 44(1), 194–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, K. (2001). Father time: Flexible work arrangements and the law firm’s failure of the family. Stanford Law Review, 53(4), 967–1008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dean, H. (2007). Tipping the balance: The problematic nature of work-life balance in a low-income neighbourhood. Journal of Social Politics, 36(4), 519–537.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dauber, D., Fink, G., & Yolles, M. (2012, March). A configuration model of organisational culture. Sage Open.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Cieri, H., Holmes, B., Abbott, J., & Pettit, T. (2005). Achievements and challenges of work-life balance strategies in Australian organisations. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 16(1), 90–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Desrochers, S., & Sargent, L. D. (2004). Boundary/Border theory and work-family integration. Organisation Management Journal, 1(1), 40–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Desrochers, S., Sargent, L. D., & Hostetler, A. J. (2012). Boundary-spanning demands, personal mastery, and family satisfaction: Individual and crossover effect among dual-earner parents. Marriage and Family Review, 48(5), 443–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, J. R., & Rothbard, N. P. (2000). Mechanisms linking work and family: Clarifying the relationship between work and family constructs. The Academy of Management Review, 25(1), 178–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eikhof, D. R., Warhust, C., & Haunschild, A. (2007). Introduction: What Work? What Balance? Critical reflections on work-life balance debate. Employee Relations, 29(4), 325–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenberger, R., Singlhamber, F., Vandenberghe, C., Sucharski, I., & Rhoades, L. (2002). Perceived supervisor support: Contributions to perceived support and employee retention. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(3), 565–573.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, M., Carlson, D., Zivnuska, S., & Whitten, D. (2012). Support at work and home: The path to satisfaction through balance. Journal of Vocational Behaviour, 80(2), 299–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galinsky, E., Aumann, K., & Bond, J. T. (2009). Times are changing: Gender and generation at work and at home (pp. 1–24). New York: Families and Work Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galinsky, E., & Stein, P. J. (1990). The impact of human resource policies on employees: Balancing work/family life. Journal of Family Issues, 11(4), 368–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, W. L., & Martinko, M. J. (1988). Impression management in organizations. Journal of Management, 14(2), 321–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glavin, S., & Schieman, P. (2011). Education and work-family conflict: Explanations, contingencies and mental health consequences. Social Forces, 89(4), 1341–1362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hammer, L. B., Kossek, E. E., Yragui, N. L., Bodner, T. E., & Hanson, G. C. (2009). Development and validation of a multidimensional measure of family supportive supervisor behaviours (FSSB). Journal of Management, 35(4), 837–856.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirschi, A., Shockley, K. M., & Zacher, H. (2019). Achieving work-family balance: An action regulation model. Academy of Management Review, 44(1), 150–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobfoll, S. E. (1989). Conservation of resources: A new attempt at conceptualizing stress. American Psychologist, 44(3), 513–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, J., & Bozionelos, N. (2007). Work-life balance as source of job dissatisfaction and withdrawal attitude: An Exploratory Study on the Views of Male Workers. Personnel Review, 36(1), 145–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, F., Burke, R. J., & Westman, M. (2006). Work-life balance: A psychological perspective. Hove and New York: Psychology Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joyce, K., Pabayo, R., Critchley, J. A., & Bambra, C. (2010). Flexible working conditions and their effects on employee health and wellbeing. Cochrane Database Systematic. Reviews, 17(2), 1–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinnunen, U., Mauno, S., Geurts, S., & Dikkers, J. (2005). Work-family culture in organizations: Theoretical and empirical approaches. In S. A. Y. Poelmans (Ed.), Series in applied psychology. Work and family: An international research perspective (pp. 87–120). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirby, E., & Krone, E. (2002). ‘The policy exists but you can’t really use it’: Communication and the structuration of work-family policies. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 30(1), 50–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kossek, E. E., Noe, R., & DeMarr, B. (1999). Work-family role synthesis: Individual, family and organisational determinants. International Journal of Conflict Resolution, 10(2), 102–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kreiner, G. E., Hollensbe, E. C., & Sheep, M. L. (2009). Balancing borders and bridges: Negotiating the work-home interface via boundary work tactics. Academy of Management Journal, 52(4), 704–730.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kreiner, G. E., Hollensbe, E. C., & Sheep, M. L. (2006). Where is the “Me” among the “We”? Identity work and the search for optimal balance. Academy of Management Journal, 49(5), 1031–1057.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ladge, J. J., & Little, L. M. (2019). When expectations become reality: Work-family image management and identity adaptation. Academy of Management Review, 44(1), 126–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, S. J. (1990). Processes linking work and family: A critical review and research agenda. Human Relations, 43(2), 239–257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leslie, L. M., King, E. B., & Clair, J. A. (2019). Work-life ideologies: The contextual basis and consequences of beliefs about work and life. Academy of Management Review, 44(1), 72–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, S. (1997). ‘Family Friendly’ employment policies: A route to changing organizational culture or playing about at the margins? Gender, Work and Organization, 4(1), 13–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lobel, S. A., & Kossek, E. E. (1996). Human resource strategies to support diversity in work and personal lifestyles: Beyond the ‘family friendly’ organization. In E. E. Kossek & S. A. Lobel (Eds.), Managing diversity: Human resource strategies for transforming the workplace (pp. 221–243). Cambridge, MA: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu, J. F., Siu, O. L., Spector, P. E., & Shi, K. (2009). Antecedents and outcomes of a fourfold taxonomy of work-family balance in Chinese employed parents. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 14(2), 182–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marks, S. R. (1977). Multiple roles and role strain: Some notes on human energy, time, and commitment. American Sociological Review, 42(6), 921–936.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mathews, R. A., & Barnes-Farell, J. L. (2010). Development and initial evaluation of an enhanced measure of boundary flexibility for work and family domains, Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 15(3), 330–346.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, P., Townsend, K., & Wharton, A. (2013). The legitimation and reproduction of discourse-practise gap in work-life balance. Personnel Review, 42(2), 205–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, P., Bradley, L., & Brown, K. (2008). Visibility in the workplace: Still an ingredient for career success. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 19(12), 2198–2215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maxwell, G. A., & McDougall, M. (2004). Work-life balance: Exploring the connections between levels of influence in the UK public sector. Public Management Review, 6(3), 377–393.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng, T. W., & Sorensen, K. L. (2008). Toward a further understanding of the relationships between perceptions of support and work attitudes: A meta-analysis. Group Organization and Management, 33(3), 243–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nippert-Eng, C. (1996a). Calendars and keys: The classification of ‘home’ and ‘work.’ Sociology Forum, 11(3), 563–582.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nippert-Eng, C. (1996b). Home and work. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Nipper-Eng, C. (1996c). Home and work: Negotiating the boundaries of everyday life. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osoian, C., Lazar, L., & Ratiu, P. (2011). The benefits of implementing and supporting work-life balance policies in organisations. Investing in people! Project co-financed by the European Social Fund, Sectoral Operational Programme Human Resources Development 2007–2013, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peeters, M., Wattez, C., Demerouti, E., & de Regt, W. (2009). Work-family culture, work-family interference and well-being at work: Is it possible to distinguish between a positive and a negative process. Career Development International, 14(7), 700–713.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perry-Jenkins, M., Repetti, R. L., & Crouter, A. C. (2000). Work and family in the 1990s. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62(4), 981–998.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pleck, J. (1984). The work-family role system. In P. Voydanoff (Ed.), Work and family: Changing roles of men and women (pp. 8–19). Palo Alto, CA: Mayfield.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pocock, B., Van Wanrooy, B., Strazzari, S., & Bridge, K. (2001). ‘Fifty families: What unreasonable hours are doing to Australians, their families and their communities’? Available at www.arts.adelaide.edu.au/. Accessed February 10, 2014.

  • Poelmans, S., O’Driscoll, M., & Beham, B. (2005). An overview of international research on the work-family interface. In S. A. Y. Poelmans (Ed.), Series in applied psychology. Work and family: An international research perspective (pp. 3–46). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, G. N., Greenhaus, J. H., Allen, T. D., & Johnson, R. E. (2019). Introduction to special topic forum: Advancing and expanding work-life theory from multiple perspectives. Academy of Management Review, 44(1), 54–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raley, S. B., Mattingly, M. J., & Bianchi, S. M. (2006). How dual are dual income couples? Documenting change from 1970 to 2001. Journal of Marriage and Family, 68(1), 11–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramachandran, D., Chong, C. S., & Ismail, H. (2011). Organisational culture: An exploratory study comparing faculties’ perspectives within public and private universities in Malaysia. International Journal of Educational Management, 25(6), 615–634.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ransome, P. (2007). Conceptualizing boundaries between ‘life’ and ‘work.’ International Journal of Human Resource Management, 18(3), 374–386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rantanen, J., Kinnunen, U., Mauno, S., & Tillemann, K. (2011). Introducing theoretical approaches to work-life balance and testing a new typology among professionals. In S. Kaiser, M. Ringlstetter, D. R. Eikhof, & M. Pina e Cunha (Eds.), Creating balance? (pp. 27–46). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhoades, L., & Eisenberger, R. (2002). Perceived organizational support: A review of the literature. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(4), 698–714.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers, F. S., & Rodgers, C. (1989). Business and the facts of family life. Harvard Business Review, 67, 121–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakazume, H. (2009). The effect of front-line manager’s perception of work-life balance practice on leadership behaviours (in Japanese). Japanese Journal of Administrative Science, 22(3), 205–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarfo, M. P. (2002), A multi-dimensional view on employee attitudes towards change in the public sector. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of business administration in the University of Hull.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schein, E. H. (2010). Organisational culture and leadership. San Francisco: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schein, E. H. (1992). The role of CEO in the management of change. In T. A. Kochan & M. Useem (Eds.), Transforming organisation (pp. 80–96). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schein, E. H. (1985). Organisational culture and leadership. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scholarios, D., & Marks, A. (2004). Work-life balance and software worker. Human Resource Management Journal, 14(2), 54–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, T., & Mishra, K. K. (2013). Devising tools and Techniques for improving work-life balance of marketing field force in oil and gas sector in India. The Business and Management Review, 3(3), 115–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simosi, M. (2012). Disentangling organisational support construct: The role of different sources of support to newcomers’ training transfer and organisational commitment. Personnel Review, 41(3), 301–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Staines, G. L. (1980). Spillover versus compensation: A review of the literature on the relationship between work and non-work. Human Relations, 33(2), 111–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stinchcomb, J. B., & Ordaz, F. (2007). The integration of two “brotherhood” into one organisational culture: A psycho-social perspective on merging police and fire services. Public Organisation Review, 7(2), 143–161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sundaramurthy, C., & Kreiner, G. (2008). Governing by managing identity boundaries: The case of family businesses. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 32(3), 415–436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan, W., & Klaasen, I. (2007, September 12–14). 24/7 Environments: A theoretical and empirical exploration from an urban planners perspective paper for European Urban Research Association (EURA). 10th Anniversary Conference, University of Glasgow, Scotland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Timmins, N. (2002, April 26). Long-hours culture “stalls better work-life balance”: (London Edition). Financial Times: 05 (London, UK).

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, C., Beauvais, L., & Lyness, K. (1999). When work-family benefits are not enough: The influence of work-family culture on benefit utilisation, organisational attachment, and work-family conflict. Journal of Vocational Behaviour, 54(3), 329–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torrington, D., Hall, L., & Taylor, S. (2008). Human resource management. London, UK: FT / Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations. (2011). The global social crisis. Report on the world social situation. Economic and Social Affairs. New York. Available at https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/rwss/docs/2011/rwss2011.pdf.

  • Warhurst, C., Eikhof, D. R., & Haunschild, A. (2008). Out of balance or just out of bounds? Analysing the relationship between work and life. In C. Warhurst, D. R. Eikhof, & A. Haunschild (Eds.), Work less, live more? Critical analysis of the work-life boundary. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wharton, A., Chivers, S., & Blair-Loy, M. (2008). Use of formal and informal work-family policies on the digital assembly line. Work and Occupations, 35(3), 327–350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, M., Hill, S., McGovern, P., Mills, C., & Smeaton, D. (2003). High performance management practices, working hours and work-life balance. British Journal of Industrial Relations, 41(2), 175–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whittington, J. L., Maellaro, R., & Galpin, T. (2011), Redefining success: The foundation for creating work-life balance. In S. Kaiser, M. Ringlstetter, D. R. Eikhof, & M. P. e Cunha (Eds.), Creating Balance? International perspectives on the work-life integration of professionals (pp. 65–77); Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wise, S., Smith, C., Valsecchi, R., Mueller, F., & Gabe, J. (2007). Controlling working time in the ward and on the line. Employee Relations, 29(4), 352–366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, T., Uen, J., Wu, S., & Chang, T. (2011). Family supportive culture, work-life segmentation and employee’s organisational attachment: The case of high-tech industry in Taiwan. Frontiers of Business Research in China, 5(1), 79–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, L., & Kleiner, B. H. (1992). Work and family: Issues for the 1990s. Women in Management Review, 7(5), 24–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zerubavel, E. (1991). The fine line: Making distinctions in everyday life. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zerubavel, E. (1993). Horizons: On the socio-mental foundations of relevance. Social Research: An International Quarterly, 60(2), 397–413.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zerubavel, E. (1996). Lumping and splitting: Notes on social classification. Sociological Forum, 11(3), 421–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zerubavel, E. (1997). Social mindscapes: An invitation to cognitive sociology. Boston, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Docks School of Business and Law, University of East London, London, UK

    Toyin Ajibade Adisa

  2. Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management At the Business School, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK

    Gbolahan Gbadamosi

Authors
  1. Toyin Ajibade Adisa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gbolahan Gbadamosi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Toyin Ajibade Adisa .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. HRM & Organisational Behaviour, Royal Docks School of Business and Law, London, UK

    Toyin Ajibade Adisa

  2. Organisational Behaviour and HRM at the Business School, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK

    Gbolahan Gbadamosi

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Adisa, T.A., Gbadamosi, G. (2021). Work-Life Border Control Model: A Re-think of Border Theory. In: Adisa, T.A., Gbadamosi, G. (eds) Work-Life Interface. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66648-4_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation